First time camping with 2.5 yr old

[Bohemond]

First time camping with 2.5 year old and hoping for suggestions of a good place to try.

• long weekend in August
• we have van and awning (but are not seasoned campers
• we live in Somerset so could do Cornwall, Dorset or Devon
• we don't really want to unhook the van so ideally a beach and basic shop and food place within walking distance
• would love some ents for DS e.g. pool and play area but not full on butlins type

DH thinks all of the above is a big ask - hopefully the mumsnet massive can help

We often go to Cofton in Devon, near Dawlish. There is an indoor and outdoor pool (indoor pay extra, outdoor free), 3 outside play areas, a small soft play, bars, small on site shop and chop shop. I am told you can walk to a beach through the woods, but we have never done this. there are buses which stop right outside the site to Dawlish/Teignmouth and Exeter and there is a Sainsbury's a 5 min drive (also on bus route).
www.coftonholidays.co.uk/

chip shop, not chop shop!!!!

We took our 2.5 year old to freshwater at burton bradstock Dorset. It has outdoor play areas, outdoor pools and an amazing indoor pool set up. Has evening entertainment and daytime entertainment if weather is poor. Outdoor football fields which has bouncy castle in summer. Has spar on site and a bar/restaurant with bowling alley. Very clean site and has a private pebble beach highly recommend.

We have just got back from ds first camping trip (not really but first he will recall) 2.9. He loved it!! Had talked through the sleeping in the tent, staying close by, all the camping 'jobs' he would have to help with - dishes, using the mallet to put the pegs in with df!! Helping blow the air beds up!! He absolutely loved it!! Sobbed when dh put the tent away!! He slept 12 hours every night in a travel cot - bit of a squish but he was happy to!!

Thanks everyone. Will look at those suggestions. Just, very pleased to hear that your son loved it. I am sure ours will, just not sure about me! It is make or break for the camper which has been in the garage for 4 years (poor thing )

Tollgate Farm in Perranporth, Cornwall is fab for children. Dog and children love it.